Ironbridge Coracle Regatta, from 12-4pm on Bank Holiday Monday 25 August, invites coracle makers and paddlers from all over Britain to participate in an array of madcap races. The regatta takes place along a stretch of the Severn at the Ironbridge Rowing Club on Buildwas Road.
Novice paddlers can have a go for free using traditional coracles handmade at the Green Wood Centre, or anyone with their own coracle can bring it along and join in. There will be refreshments and a variety of shore-based activities and stalls; the regatta is free to watch.
Coracles are flat-bottomed boats made from woven wood covered in animal skins, or more often nowadays, canvas waterproofed with tar or bitumen. They were used for fishing and – apparently commonly in Ironbridge – for poaching. Before the advent of the Iron Bridge, they were also used to ferry people and goods from one side of the Severn to the other.
For details visit smallwoods.org.uk or call 01952 432769.
